Cornell College offers fine arts scholarships ranging from $500 to $25,000. While some of the scholarships listed below require a major or minor in the chosen field, others are available to any qualified student, regardless of major. We encourage all students who have a strong interest in art, music or theatre to apply after being admitted to Cornell.

Application guidelines

To be considered for a fine arts scholarship, you must complete the following steps:

As an admitted student, complete our Fine Arts Scholarship Application. You will be provided access to the application in your acceptance materials.

Complete an audition, interview, or submission of your work by Mar. 1. On-campus appointments must be scheduled two weeks in advance. Requirements vary by your interest area: Visual Arts, Music or Theatre.

Decisions and notification

Academic scholarship notifications are made at the time of admission. Notifications about fine arts scholarships are made as soon as your fine arts materials have been reviewed. For students who choose to audition for a music scholarship, notification of an academic or music scholarship will occur once the music audition process is complete. We encourage you to complete the process listed above as early as possible, keeping our Mar. 1 deadline in mind.

Renewal

Fine arts scholarships and awards are renewable annually if you make satisfactory academic progress, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. Please be sure to read the specific eligibility and participation requirements for renewal of the Fine Arts awards and scholarships as listed below.

Questions and assistance

Available scholarships and awards

Art Awards

Cornell College Art Award: $500 - $4,000

Eligibility: Students earning a Cornell College Art Award are not required to participate in the department's courses or activities, although many recipients take courses or remain involved in Art & Art History Department activities. Art Awards are available to qualified students, regardless of major.

Music Scholarships and Awards

Cornell College Music Award: $1,000 - $9,000

Eligibility: Students earning a Cornell College Music Award valuing $1,000-$9,000 are required to participate in at least one major ensemble on the student's principal instrument. Music Awards are available to qualified students, regardless of major.

Cornell College Music Award: $10,000

Eligibility: Students earning a Cornell College Music Award valuing $10,000 are required to participate in at least one major ensemble on the student's principal instrument, enroll in music lessons on the student's principal instrument, and enroll in the MUS 701 Music Performance Seminar. Recipients are awarded free music lessons at a value of $350 per semester. Music Awards are available to qualified students, regardless of major.

Cornell College Music Scholarship: $17,000 - $25,000

Eligibility: Students earning a Cornell College Music Scholarship are required to participate in at least one major ensemble on the student's principal instrument, enroll in music lessons on the student's principal instrument, and enroll in the MUS 701 Music Performance Seminar. Recipients are awarded free music lessons at a value of $350 per semester. Music Scholarships are available to qualified students, regardless of major.

Theatre Awards

Cornell College Theatre Award: $1,000 - $4,000

Eligibility: Students earning a Cornell College Theatre Award are not required to participate in the department's courses or activities, although many recipients take courses or remain involved through other Theatre Department activities. Theatre Awards are available to qualified students, regardless of major.